On May 14, letter carriers around the country will be going door to door collecting food for local hunger-relief charities. In Grand Rapids, that food will be donated to Feeding America West Michigan.

“This is one of the oldest and most fruitful partnerships we have,” said Feeding America West Michigan CEO Ken Estelle. “We’re honored that they’ve chosen to support us again this year.”

“People need to understand the amount of effort the letter carriers put into making this happen. Many of them have to make three or four runs to collect all the food on their routes. It really is an incredible amount of food,” Estelle said.

Letter carrier Andrea Faulkner is coordinating the food drive in Grand Rapids. Faulkner says she finds the event personally meaningful. “I just think it’s a great opportunity to help those who are less fortunate. I love the idea that Feeding America West Michigan is so broad-based. They provide food to agencies that serve wounded vets, low-income kids, domestic violence victims — so when you’re supporting the food bank, you’re helping all these other organizations fulfill their core missions as well.”

Those wishing to participate in Stamp Out Hunger have two options. They can fill a bag with healthy, nonperishable food and leave it by their mailboxes in time for their normal Saturday delivery. Or they can give a meal online at FeedWM.org/StampOutHunger. Every dollar donated provides four meals to those in need.

As a reminder to give, Meijer is providing paper grocery bags to most free-standing residences in Grand Rapids. All Grand Rapids residents will also receive an informational postcard the week of the food drive.

Local sponsors include Fox 17, Meijer, Heart of West Michigan United Way, the Kent-Ionia Labor Council and the National Association of Letter Carriers.